Protesters sue cops over Times street clash

MANILA, Philippines - Militant activists, who were earlier charged for a protest they held outside the Times street house of President Aquino, have filed a human rights complaint against policemen for their supposedly violent dispersal.

Peasant leader Antonio Flores, activists from Southern Tagalog, and delegates of the Manilakbayan ng Mindanao filed a complaint against officials and members of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) before the Commission on Human Rights on Dec. 12.

This was in connection with the alleged violent dispersal of protesters during the Nov. 29 rally in front of President Aquino’s residence on Times street, Quezon City.

The complaint was filed two days after the commemoration of International Human Rights Day on Dec. 10.

The complainants claimed they held a peaceful march and a two-hour program in front of the Aquino residence.

They said police illegally arrested Flores and detained him for four days on charges of direct assault and vandalism.

The other complainants from Mindanao include Karapatan-North Cotabato coordinator Jayvee Apiag, who was hit on his right clavicle, allegedly by QCPD Station 2 Commander Superintendent Pedro Sanchez; Freddie del Rosario, photojournalist of Mindanao-based Kilab Multimedia; Harold Gerozaga, Jimson Bazar, Jade Azucena, Sanny Boy Gonzales and Nelson Binongkasan.